Inspection request can be made by fax at 559-637-2139 or phone 24-hours a day by calling the Building Inspection Line at 559-637-4200, EXT 112. To schedule an inspection you must call or fax your request before 9:00 a.m. on the day you are requesting the inspection. Inspection requests made after 9:00 a.m. will be scheduled for the following day. The objective is to provide all inspections within 16 hours of request.
The Building Official may be reached in the office Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to answer questions, discuss problems or to arrange for special inspections.
The general contractor/owner-builder or his duly authorized representative is responsible for verifying that all work is complete prior to requesting an inspection. Re-inspections will be made as requested after all corrections have been made. A re-inspection fee may be charged if an inspection is rejected and the job is not complete or ready for inspection when requested.
For all inspections the approved plans must be on the job site and the Permit Job Card must be posted in a conspicuous place at the job site.
What is an inspection?
A building Inspection is a process in which a trained professional checks footings, foundations, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, structural frame, insulation, lath, and drywall, etc., to ensure they meet City ordinances and State building codes. Through this process, the City also ensures that new and remodeled buildings are constructed according to plans approved by the Community Development Department, and that buildings meet all health and safety regulations.
On-site inspections:
A city inspector will make inspections of a project while it is under construction, in order to ensure that it will be in compliance with applicable codes and ordinances, and that it will be safe and sound upon completion.
Inspections must be done at the specified stage of construction. Do not proceed to the next stage of construction until the project has passed inspection for the current stage. It will be your responsibility to schedule an inspection. Inspections are required at the following stages of construction:
1.
Underground/Under Slab Plumbing, Electrical, and
Mechanical
To
be done after all pipes, conduits and ducts are in
place and secured, but not before backfilling.
2. Footings/Foundations
To
be done after trenches, footings, and pad openings
are excavated and cleared of loose material or mud,
forms and reinforcement are erected and secured in
place, but not before concrete is poured.
3.
Under Floor Inspection
To be done after floor
framing is complete and all required plumbing and mechanical
is installed as per plans.
4. Rough-in
of all system, Floor Nailing and Framing Inspection
All rough-in plumbing, electrical,
mechanical, gas piping, etc., must be installed and
inspections made before covering any work.
5.
Under Floor Insulation
To be done after all insulation
are in place and secured and prior to installation
of the floor sheathing. Substantially wet or soaked
wood construction is not to be covered with vapor or
moisture barriers unless adequate provision is made
for through drying of the structure.
6. Concrete
Slab
To be done after all under-slab
or under-floor piping and other auxiliary equipment
items are in place and protected from contact with
concrete. Screed boards or string lines shall be
furnished by the contractor or owner to facilitate
inspection of the slab thickness. This inspection
must be performed and approved before placement of
concrete slab or floor sheathing.
7.
Roof Sheathing/Exterior Shear Inspection
To be
done after all roof sheeting is in place and nailed
as per the approved plans, but before any roofing
materials are applied or loaded on the roof. Any
required plywood planes on exterior walls, exterior
connections and straps must also be nailed per the
approved plans and inspected before being covered
by exterior finish materials. The contractor is responsible
for providing an approved ladder for safe roof access.
8. Masonry
Fireplace Inspection
The
following inspections must
be called for during the construction of masonry
fireplaces:
a. Footing (may be done during foundation inspection).
b. Throat (before chimney construction, after
fire box construction).
c. Anchor Straps (at each plate line).
d. Bond Beam (before grouting of chimney).
The common practice of grouting as a fireplace chimney goes up is allowed only if arrangements have been made with the building inspector.
9. Complete
Frame Inspection
To
be done after all framing and
roofing is complete (or material loaded and roof
is substantially water tight). All rough plumbing,
mechanical, and electrical installations must be
in place. Water supply piping (hot and cold) shall
be under pressure and all showers and/or tubes shall
be filled with water. All drains, waste and vent
piping shall be filled with water to 10 feet above
the highest fitting or joint, or through the roof.
The fireplace must be completed. Stucco lath or siding
must be in place and nailed as per approved plans.
Window frames and exterior door frames must be in
place and properly flashed.
10. Insulation
and Vapor Barrier
To be done after all insulation
and moisture barriers are in place and secured, openings
caulked and all required sealing done. Includes walls,
floors and perimeter foundations, grounds covers,
etc. Does not include loose insulation to be support
by ceiling finish materials. Weather protections
shall be provided before insulation. Wet or soaked
insulation will be rejected. Substantially wet or
soaked wood construction is not to be covered with
moisture barriers unless adequate provisions is made
for through drying of the structure.
11. Lath
and Dry Wall
To
be done on interior and exterior
plaster system and all drywall applications after
nailing (or other fastening system) is complete and
before tape, plaster, or other coverings are applied.
On multiple layer drywall (fire walls), each layer
of drywall shall be separately inspected without
exception. To be approved before scratch-coat is
applied and before any drywall mud is applied.
12.
Sewer Connection and Water Service from Shut-off
to House
To be made after trenches are dug, piping
in place and the appropriate test is applied. The contractor
is responsible for supplying the inspector with an
accurate as-built drawing showing locations of lines.
This inspection must be done before any pipe is covered
or trenches back-filled.
13. Gas
Line Air Test
To
be made after drywall is in
place and brown-coat plaster and/or exterior siding
is in place. Test requires the entire gas line to
be capped off and a pressure of 10 p.s.i. be pumped
into the line by the contractor. This pressure must
hold for a minimum of 15 minutes.
14. Final
Inspection
To
be made when the structure is ready for occupancy.
This shall include proper lot drainage, address
posted, all plumbing fixtures connected and operable,
all electrical fixtures and devices in place and
electrically connected, insulation certificate
posted, structure clean of debris or stored materials,
thermal mass area (if any) installed as per approved
plans, walls finishes complete as per approved
plans, etc.
Other inspections may be required on particular jobs. These will be indicated on the approved plans and specifications, or the permit holder will be told of the by the Building Inspector.
When special inspections are specified on any particular project, in accordance with Section 306 of the Administrative Part of the Building Code, a qualified and approved special inspector is to be at the job site whenever work requiring special inspection is in progress. Such special inspector shall be pre-approved and registered with the Building Division of the City of Readily before inspections commence.
The new building cannot be occupied until a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the Building Official. This is normally issued after the project has passed a final inspection from the building inspector and cleared (in writing) from all other divisions (Planning, Public Works, Engineering, Fire Department, Community Services) within the City of Reedley.
After the project has been completed and has received final inspection, the building permit will be kept on file in the Building Division of the Community Development Department as evidence that the work has been completed according to appropriate codes and regulations.
